Sacred Heart of Jesus Churches

residences in Sharon Township, six miles southeast of Shelby. Bethlehem is a flat rural area with wooded land to the north and west of the Sacred Heart located just north of State Route 61. Although built in close proximity to vicinity, the two churches are nominated on individual parcels of land. The large Victorian Gothic church (1895), designed by William P. Ginter of Akron, dominates the surrounding landscape (photo #2). Constructed of locally pitched gable roof is covered with slate. modified version of the traditional nave and side aisle arrangement (photo Clerestory windows are illuminated by the dormers and are placed between an ornate series of vaults, leaving a large unobstructed space within the 7.

Description Condition unexposed date ruins deteriorated east transept window.A projecting semi-circular apse rises up from alow original site The sides of the building feature lancet windows, compact stone buttresses, (photo #3).Both windows are composed of ornamental glass; the Blessed Virgin #1).The outbuildings have been severely altered or are of recent windows on the east and west walls crosses the northern end of the sanctuary soaring plaster vaults.

The rib vaults cantilever from the side aisle walls State Route 61 in Bethlehem, Ohio, a small settlement of approximately twelve located to the north of the Sacred Heart property, south of the cemetery (see features corner pinnacles and a steeply pitched octagonal steeple topped by an Three small attic vents are located in the peak of the southern facade gable. Is depicted in the west transept window and St. Joseph is portrayed in the The interior of the church is rich in decoration and detail and features a B good The central entrance is framed by a slightly projecting stone canopy with moved grouping and farmland to the south.

(in one paragraph) Criteria A and C The Sacred Heart of Jesus church buildings (1853 and 1895) are significant for their association with the early settlement of the area, their place within the religious history of Richland County as one of the earliest Roman Catholic parish began as early as 1833 following the first settlement in the area. The parish built its first church, a log cabin, in 1836; as the congregation grew church and was dedicated in 1895; it is still in use by the parish. Both included with the nomination despite their connections to church history. The Religion played an important role in the lives of the early settlers.

Catholicism was not the most common faith to be brought to Ohio and general ly it developed more slowly and at a later date than other religious groups in Mansfield. Shelby, to the northeast of Bethlehem, remained undeveloped until the more populated areas of Richland County were log structures, later Sacred Heart of Jesus parish was the first Roman Catholic church to be organized in the area at this early date and its growth parallels, if not was organized in 1822-23 and a log church was built which served the purchased from the Presbyterians until 1872 when a brick church was constructed. Being the only Roman Catholic church in the area, the Sacred missions in Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Mansfield, and Shelby.

traveled from settlement to settlement, often only visiting once a year and celebrating mass at the homes of the local residents.